[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 111 (Friday, June 27, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S3582]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              IMMIGRATION

  Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, on a related matter, the Iranian air 
strike is about more than nuclear weapons. It is about, also, the 
threat of terrorism. Iranian terrorists have targeted Americans for 
decades. Iran actively pursued an assassination plot against President 
Trump. Other top officials in the United States have also been targets 
of Iranian terrorists.
  Recently, Iran threatened to activate its so-called sleeper cells 
right here inside the United States. Let that sink in. This is an 
urgent reminder that national security starts with border security.
  Under Joe Biden and the Democrats, more than 1,500 illegal immigrants 
from Iran crossed our southern border, and 729 of them were released 
into our country by Joe Biden. And that might just be the tip of the 
iceberg because, remember, under Joe Biden and the Democrats, there 
were millions of ``got-aways,'' people who weren't stopped sneaking 
across the border; they were detected--either through satellite images 
or different mechanisms of looking for people: heat detection of people 
moving across the desert--but not able to be captured.
  How many of them were Iranian agents as well? How many of them are, 
today, in sleeper cells? Well, the truth is, no one knows. What we do 
know is this: President Trump took office, and since that time, illegal 
border crossings are down by 95 percent.
  Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are working fast. In the 
last 7 days alone, ICE arrested 130 illegal immigrants from Iran. Right 
now, 670 Iranian nationals are being detained. President Trump's 
detentions are working.
  Now the administration needs more resources to finish the job. That 
is why Republicans are fighting for our comprehensive safety agenda. 
Our bill increases funding for border security and enforcement by $160 
billion. It finishes the wall. It hires thousands of new Border Patrol 
and ICE agents. It gives them a bonus for keeping our communities safe.
  In November, Americans wanted, needed, and voted for safe communities 
and secure borders. Our Republican safety agenda delivers what the 
Americans want, need, and have voted for.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. Moody). The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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